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Clinton News Record, 2016-05-25, Page 7Wednesday, May 25, 2016 • News Record 7 Local first responders appeal to council for critical incident stress management program Justine Alkema Clinton News Record Bluewater firefighter Kyle Kruse and Central Huron fire chief Dave Renner informed both Bluewater and Central Huron councils on May 16 about an issue that many peo- ple don't consider - Post -Trau- matic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among local first -responders. To address this problem, they proposed implementing a critical incident stress manage- ment program for the fire departments in these counties. "I've been in a lot of situa- tions that would cause mental anguish in first responders," said Kruse. Kruse told several stories about PTSD that he has seen among coworkers. He talked about some difficult calls they have had to respond to, and the experience of a friend tak- ing his own life as a result of PTSD. "It affected everybody," said Kruse. "It made a lot of people struggle." In Ontario in 2014, there The Central Huron Fire Department. were 27 first responders and 19 military members who took their own lives due to PTSD and critical incident stress related issues. In 2015, there were 39 first responders and 12 military members. So far in 2016, there have been 18 first responders and 5 military members that have taken their own lives. Ontario recently passed Bill 116 which says if you are a first responder and are diagnosed with PTSD, it is assumed that you have developed PTSD from your work. It used to be that you had to prove you developed it from work, so now it is eas- ier for first responders to gain access to the help they Justine Alkema Clinton News Record need. This bill creates inevitable costs for the municipality including increasing WSIB rates, WSIB administration costs and help for those suf- fering with PTSD. Earlier prevention costs may reduce costs in the long run. To combat this, the two men proposed starting up a local critical incident stress management program. This program would be an intervention protocol devel- oped for dealing with trau- matic events. This includes pre -instance education, cri- sis intervention, family sup- port, referrals to other resources, defusings and assisting with debriefings. "It's a peer based counsel- ling team," said Kruse. "It's us leaning on each other [...] to help prevent PTSD." One big part of this team is to facilitate defusings. A defus- ing is basically a group discus- sion in the fire hall after a call. It's getting things off one's chest sooner rather than later, which has been shown to reduce the chances of devel- oping PTSD. Several people at each hall would be trained to facilitate a defusing, and they would only be allowed to lead one if they were not at the call that is being discussed. If the incident is too traumatic, a debriefing will be done by a professional within the week. The cost for this includes training the debriefers at each station and a small operating budget which comes to $1300 per station; there are four sta- tions in Bluewater and one station in Central Huron. They also asked Bluewater for $350 for Kruser to be trained as a coordinator. Actually facilitat- ing the defusings is com- pletely volunteer based. Chief Renner noted that last year in Central Huron, there were several severe traffic accidents. "The guys didn't know what to do or where to go," said Renner. "Some of them did suffer from that, and we're dealing with it still until this day." The also noted that since Central Huron is a small com- munity, there is a large chance that the responder knows the person or has mutual connec- tions with the person. Both councils said they would discuss whether or not they would fund the project at the next council meeting. Clinton Horticultural Society presents the `Horticultural Service Certificate' Contributed photo Eleanor Falconer with her award. 'PARK THEATRE FOR MOVIE INFORPAATION._ w rww.rna'riielinks.I «1au.,tia1-aoo-205-3+ 36 DeEleanor Falconer received the award from president Helen Lobb on April 20 Eleanor Falconer is a wor- thy member of the Clinton Horticultural Society. Since in the mid 1980's, Eleanor has been a faithful member and has loved exhibiting at the annual flower shows. Representing the soci- ety, Eleanor has attended numerous meetings and has visited different local societies and meetings. In 1992, Eleanor became the social convener and kept the job until 2003. Eleanor's home baked goodies often came to meetings for all to enjoy. In 2001, she was program convener, and in 2003 and 2004 she was a director. In 2004, she became the door greeter and door prize convener, which she is still doing. Along the way, Elea- nor has shared her flowers, bulbs and plants with any- one. The society's booth at the Clinton Spring Fair has been set up and decorated a few times by Eleanor. Elea- nor has manned the booth many times. Flowers from Eleanor's gar- den have decorated snack tables at the Flower Show and the tables at the Fall Annual Dinner. If Eleanor sees a need, steps up and offers to help. She has been truly appreci- ated at the Clinton Horticul- tural Society. nwmo NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION SOCIETE DE GESTION DES DECHETS NUCLEAIRES NWMO Learn More Centre The Municipality of Central Huron is one of nine communities involved in a process of learning about Adaptive Phased Management (APM), Canada's plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is working collaboratively with the community to advance preliminary assessment studies. Learn about APM, meet NWMO staff, ask questions and offer your thoughts. Drop in to the NWMO community office and Learn More Centre in Clinton. Everyone is welcome. NWMO Learn More Centre (Central Huron) 38 Albert Street, Clinton ON 519.386.6711 Monday Tuesday Wednesday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.